Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Feline star of BBC animation to help educate children
The new club aims to educate young children about cats.
Cats Protection’s new children’s club features Tabby McTat.

Animal welfare charity Cats Protection has launched a new club to teach young children about cats, with the help of an animated television star.

Little Paws Club will educate children aged five to seven years old through a monthly mini-magazine. The first issue has been sent out this month and
includes short articles, puzzles, and activities.

Tabby McTat, a picturebook character and one of the stars of this year's Christmas television, will be appearing in the magazine to share cat facts with young readers. There will also be three Tabby McTat special mini-magazines in 2024.

The December issue featured an interview with Julia Donaldson, who co-created Tabby McTat with Axel Scheffler. Their book has been adapted into a new animation, narrated by Jodie Whittaker, which will be broadcast on BBC One.

A Christmas single from the animation, performed by Rob Brydon and Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, has also been released. Proceeds from the song will be donated to Cats Protection.

Kay MacNaughton, individual giving officer for Cats Protection, said: “Little Paws Club is a fun way for children to learn all about our feline friends, just like Tabby.

“As well as inspiring the next generation of cat lovers, Little Paws Club membership will help Cats Protection to provide brighter futures for many unfortunate cats and kittens, who unlike Tabby, don’t yet have an owner to love them.”

Image © Cats Protection

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Germany livestock import ban lifted

The UK government has amended its ban on the import of livestock, meat and dairy products from Germany.

Defra said the decision follows 'rigorous technical assessment' of the measures applied and the current situation. "If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity," it said.

The ban was implemented in January following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Berlin. Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products will remain in place at a country level.